Splicing machine



Oct. l0, 1961 Filed March 19, 1958 R. A. BUTLER, JR

SPLICING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Oct. 10, 1961 R. A. BUTLER,v JR 3,003,542

SPLICING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 10, 1961 R. A. BUTLER, JR 3,003,542

SPLICING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR.

R. A. BUTLER, JR 3,003,542

sPLIcING MACHINE Oct. 10, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 19, 1958 n wEa coNsuMlNe MACHINE 7/ 7'/ i (MOTOR DRIVEN) States This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a splicing machine and is directed more particularly .to means for splicing the leading end of the web of a replenishment web-roll to the trailing end of the web of a depleted web-roll running to a packaging machine, printing machine, box-making machine, or like adapting machine of the web consuming type.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a novel construction of the type wherein a web-renewing mechanism is employed in the supply of successive webs to a web-consuming machine, provision being made to enable the web-supply to be maintained without stopping the machine by arranging the web of a replacement or replenishment web-roll and the web of a running web-roll to engage and adhere to each other so that the replacement web commences to be drawn from its roll at the time the running and expiring web is depleted.

One of the primary purposes hereof is to provide structural and operational improvements in devices of the class to which reference has been made, which improvernents simplify the structure as such, and provide important distinct advantages in economy of oper-ttion, efliciency and the like over known prior art devices.

The mechanism hereof automatically splices the leading end of a web of a replenishment web-roll to the trailing end `of the web of a diminishing or exhausted web-roll and is applicable for use in conjunctionwith adapting or web-consuming machines inV such manner as to eliminate the necessity of stopping the machinery, removing the exhausted roll, placing a new roll supply in operating position, and threading the web thereof through the machine preparatory to starting same again, which operations are time consuming and costly from the point of view of down-time.

As is known, the paper or other exible web which is fed to the web-consuming `apparatus runs from webrolls which must be replaced periodically as they are consumed. Successful and eicient operation of a webconsuming machine obviously depends in large measure upon the maintenance of a continuous supply of paper thereto.

This invention envisions a high speed web-roll replacement involving apparatus in which the replenishment web bearing an yadhesive material at its leading transverse end is brought to a position adjacent the trailing end of a web of a running web-roll running to the web-consuming apparatus preparatory to the splicing operation. The leading end of the replenishment web is subsequently automatically spliced to the trailing end of the running web so that the web supply to the webconsuming machine is continuous and uninterrupted without the presence of an attending operator being necessitated.

Additionally, a sensing device is provided which automatically releases mechanism for elfecting the automatic operation of the splicing mechanism as lthe trailing end of the diminishing or exhausted web-roll passes therepast.

The replenishment and running web-rolls are carried by a revolvable reel carriage embodying a pair of carriage arms. The carriage has two roll positions, a normally inboard position for a running web-roll from which the web is drawn and a normally outboard position for a replacement web-roll, the rolls being successively and manually brought into loading, replacement :and running positions.

f arent the web.

fice

The carriage arms of the pair thereof are provided with supporting means for receiving the ends of the core shafts, projecting from the web-rolls, for their support relative thereto and movement thereby into the loading, replacement and running positions.

The supporting means are arranged 1n such spaced relation at opposite ends of the carriage larms of the pair thereof that when one set of supporting means 1s in the running position for the support of the running web-roll and the unwinding of the web therefrom, the other set of supporting means is in the loading and replenishment position to release the core shaft of `an exhausted web-roll and receive a full replacement or replenishment web-roll preparatory to the replenishing rolls being called into use.

With the above primary objects in vieW, it 1s st1l1 another object of this invention to provide aA compact construction of the above described character in which the number of operating parts is greatly reduced and simplified, and which is distinctive in its appearance, practical in its value, reliable in its operation, and eiiicient in its use.

In the accompanying drawing, there is illustrated one complete example of a physical embodiment of the invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accordance with one mode devised for a practical application of the fundamental principles of the invention. It is to be understood however that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, Within the scope of the claims, without departing from the prin-v ciples of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGS l and 2 are front elevational views of the upper and lower portions respectively of the splicing apparatus embodying the novel features of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 showing the roll supporting means of the lapparatus;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the end of one of the carriage arms ofthe roll supporting means;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the means for adjusting an arbor of the roll supporting means laterally or transversely;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view on the line 7--7 of FIG. 1; g

FIG. 7A is a sectional View showing the spring return means for the splice cushion;

FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the brake means for the arbors of the roll carrying means; and

FIG. 10 is small scale side elevational diagrammatic view of the splicing apparatus as 4it may be connected to a machine or unit using the web material supplied to it by the splicing apparatus.

In the following description and claims, vvarious details will be identified by specic names for convenience. These names however are intended to be as generic in their application as the art Will permit.

The general arrangement of the machine will rst be described to facilitate a clear understanding of the features of construction subsequently to be described in detail.

A pair of web-rolls are held in a double, pivoted yoke. Normally, the inside roll functioning as a running roll feeds the web-consuming machine, the running web passing around a slackener roll and through a pair of pressure or feed rolls which maintain a constant tension on To set up the outside replenishment roll for the automatic splice, the operator clamps the leading edge of the web of the replenishing roll on a special preparation table, located in the upper part of the machine. He trims the web at a predetermined point by tearing or cutting same at the preparation table. He then applies a length of pressure-sensitive tape to the leading edge of the replenishment or ready web. He then secures the ready web onto pins on a splicing arm, which is poised above the running web. This completes the preparatory steps and the machine automatically makes its splice at the proper moment without further attention.

As the running web unwinds from the roll, a sensing finger rides against a front surface thereof and is held in position by a slotted back-up plate embracing the rear surface of the web. When the last panel of the running web clears past this finger, as said web travels from the web-roll to the web-consuming machine, the finger rotates under spring tension into the aligned slot in the back-up plate so as to turn a cam lock and to release the splicing mechanism.

The splice timing cam and the vertical shaft to which it is attached are the only driven parts on the machine, being connected to the web-consuming machine in a 1:1 ratio by a chain and sprocket. Y

As the vertical shaft rotates downward, it forces the rubber pad against the running web at the lower pressure or feed roll. The new or replenishment web slips off of the pins and -is attached to the depleted web at the proper registration point by the adhesive tape. The pressure or feed rolls complete the bond by squeezing the two paper webs together.

At any time 'before the web of the running or depleting roll is exhausted, the replenishing roll and the web thereof may be placed in their ready positions whereby, at the proper moment, the replenishing web maynbe spliced to and in register with the trailing end of the web of the depleting roll, upon signal from the sensing device.

That is, as aforesaid, at any time before the web of the running roll runs out, Ithe operator reloads the machine by revolving the reel carriage or roll supporting means in a 180 arc. "This is done by rotating the double yoke through a hand wheel. During this process of transfer, the roll continues to unwind without interruption. At the outboard position, the empty reel is removed and a replenishing roll is substituted therefor in a reloading manner. At this moment, the running web is in the inside or inboard position.

After a new reel is loaded and the web is cnt and taped, the machine is ready for action again.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures and referring more particularly to the preferred form of my invention selected for illustrative purposes, there is shown, in FIGURES 1 and 2, the general arrangement of the splicing apparatus in order that the general relation and utility of the components may be better understood.

The splicing apparatus includes left and right, vertically-disposed, transversely-spaced, end frames 2 and 4 having inwardly extending anges 6.

The end frames may be secured and connected together in spaced relation in any well known manner, as by a base and cover members (not shown for purposes of simplification).

The end frames may be otherwise supported by any suitable means adjacent and relative to the web-consuming machine or unit to which the splicer is to supply the web material.

For purposes of disclosure, a using or web-consuming machine may be a packaging or wrapping machine, printing machine, or the like, and same is generally indicated by the numeral in FIG. 10. Hereinafter, such webconsuming machine will be referred to as a wrapping machine, for purposes of simplification.

Such a wrapping machine, in the wrapping of successive objects, requires successive predetermined lengths of wrapping material from a web thereof. The wrapping material ordinarily carries indicia patterns in the form of a panel or panels for a side or sides of each of the objects being wrapped whereby identical packages appearancewise are wrapped. The side or sides of the object being wrapped must register with the panel or panels of the wrapping material in an identical manner in the case of each successive package so wrapped.

As a web of wrapping material is consumed by the wrapping machine, the leading end of a web from a new web-roll of wrapping material is spliced to the trailing end of the web being consumed in order to provide the desired continuous service. The splice therebetween is accomplished in such manner that the panels or other indicia of the leading end of the new web are accurately related to and in register with the panels or other indicia of the old web. In this manner, the panels of the new web are related to the objects being wrapped just as are the panels of the old web related to the objects being wrapped.

The wrapping machine, in using one length of the web material with its panel or panels for one complete package operates through what will be called one complete cycle.

The splicing apparatus hereof is operated in synchronism with the wrapping machine in order that, when splicing takes place, the panels of the new web will be properly and accurately related to the panels of the old web being consumed.

To that end, the splicer hereof is driven from the wrapping machine. Some shaft of the wrapping machine, called a drive shaft 12 of a metering roll is caused to rotate through 360 degrees representing the said one cycle. Said drive shaft 12 is operably connected by positive means, such as a sprocket 14- and endless chain 16, to a sprocket 19 of a driven shaft 20 of the splicer. In this way, the splicer operates in the proper timed relation to the wrapping machine which it supplies regardless of the throughput speed of said wrapping machine.

A primary guide roll 22 is free rolling on the driven shaft 2t), it being supported thereon by means of ball bearings so as to operate completely and freely and independent of the direction of said driven shaft.

A secondary guide roll 24 is free rolling on the shaft 26 and is in operative engagement with the roll 22 to receive and pay out the web W of material being consumed by the web-consuming machine. That is, rolls 22 and 24 rotate when a web is pulled through them by the web-consuming machine.

By this means, webs having different panel lengths can be used herewith without the necessity of making any changes on the splicing machine.

On the other hand, if primary guide roll 22 was driven, its diameter would necessarily have to be some multiple or fraction of the length of the panel repeat or cutoff. Each time the cutoff is changed, either the diameter of the metering roll would have to be changed or some arrangement of change-gears would be necessitated. Additionally, were roll 22 driven, it would become a metering roll. It is to be stressed that a metering roll is not necessary in this splicing machine, same normally being provided in the web-consuming machine.

Said web W is supplied from a roll on an arbor of roll supporting means. From said roll, the web passes around a slackener roll 28 and a guide roll 30 to the rolls 22 and 24 of the splicer. This web W will be identified as the running web.

A web W', known as a replenishing web, extends from a roll carried by the roll supporting means around an idler 32.

The leading or upper free end of the web W' is manually prepared, as by trimming and affixing a strip of adhesive tape thereto, and is releasably caught on a splice cushion assembly 36 which is fixed on an oscillatable shaft 38. l

The splice cushion assembly supports the web W and its associated tape in a ready position out of contact from the running web W until the moment of splice. At the time of splice, a rubber cushion of the splice cushion assembly and the web W with tape are brought into contact with the running web W by the swinging of the spline cushion assembly theretoward. The splice cushion assembly andthe web W and tape are squeezed against the roll 24. The rubber cushion is pliable so as to give or yield in the direction of the running web W and the splice is made while the running web is moving. The replenishing web W and tape slip off the pin means supporting same and move into and through the pressure or feed rolls 22 and 24. The splice cushion assembly then snaps into the locked and out position.

The shafts 38, and 26 have opposite ends which are rotatable in bearings or pillow blocks, such as 4f), which bearings or pillow blocks are secured to the end frames 2 and 4 as shown in FIG. 6.

The spacing of the rolls 22 and 24 is factory-set. When running different thicknesses of wrapping material therethrough, the shafts 20 and 26 may be reset accordingly by adjusting the bearings or pillow blocks 40 relative to the end frames 2 and 4 and to each other. The spacing of the rolls 22 and 24 mustbe tight enough that the free trailing end of the running web lW remains under control after it has left its core up to the moment of splicing. The spacing of the rolls should be loose enough that the web can slip laterally across the rolls when necessary to correct itself.

The roll supporting means will now be described in connection with FIGS. 2-5.

A shaft 44 is journalled at opposite ends in the end frames 2 and 4 and has fixed, in spaced relation longitudinally thereof, a pair of carriage arms 46.

Each carriage arm 46 has at each of its ends a latch 48 pivoted thereto at Si). These latches 48 and the carriage arms 46 are provided with mating half round sockets for receiving Van Vend of an arbor 52.

A U shaped keeper 54 is pivoted at 56 to the carriage arm and has a binding screw 58. The screw 58 is loosened so that the keeper 54 may be swung clockwise to release the latch 48 whereby it may be swung counterclockwise. The end of the arbor 52 is placed in or removed from the socket of the carriage arm, and is locked in the sockets by the relation of the parts, as shown in FIG. 4.

The construction, shown in FIG. 4, is disposed on the upper sides of the corresponding ends of each carriage arm and, on the lower sides of the corresponding opposite ends of the carriage arms.

Each arbor 52 supports a roll of the web material and has a pair of web reel flanges 60 provided with hubs 62, adjustable along the arbor, for accommodating rolls of different widths thereon.

Blocks 66 are rotatable at 67 on each end of each carriage arms 46. A rod 68, depends from each block 66 and slidably supports a slackener weight 70, which is securable in different positions therealong by means of a binding screw 72. Arms '74 are secured to and extend from the blocks 66, and support the slackener rolls 28 and 32. The arrangement is such that the weights 70 act to lprovide tension on their associated webs as they unwind.

When the leading end of a new, replenishing web has been attached to the trailing end of the nearly-consumed, running web, the shaft 44 is rotated to Ibring the roll of the new web over to the location of the roll of the nearly consumed web, and the now empty arbor over to what was the location of the new web so that a new roll may be placed on the now empty arbor.

Such rotation is accomplished in the well known manner by a carriage indexing assembly comprising a worm and gear which is rotated by a hand wheel mounted on a side or end of the splicer. This revolves the whole carriage arm so that the running Web-roll is moved inboard while'an exhausted or depleted roll revolves to the outboard position for reloading.

Specifically, the carriage indexing assembly envisions a shaft 78 rotatable in bearings 80, which carries on one end thereof a carriage indexing hand Wheel 82, and has a worm 84 fixed on its opposite end in mesh with a worm gear 86 fixed on the shaft 44. See FIG. 10.

It may be desired to provide brakes to offer resistance to the rotation of the arbors 52 as web material is unwound from the rolls thereon. Such is accomplished as shown in FIG. 9. A drum 90- is fixed to the arbor 52. Brake bands 92, having linings 94, are connected at their one ends by a member, such as a 'bolt 96 or the like. An adjusting screw 98 connects the other ends of the brake bands 92 for adjusting the action of the bands on the drum 90.

An extension 100 of one of the brake bands 92 overlies a rod or brake stop pin 101 extending from the hub 102 fixed to the shaft 44 and holds the brake mechanism against rotation.

The lateral control assembly is attached to the underside of the carriage arm and comprises a racr and pinion mechanism to provide lateral movement of the web when and as necessary.

The lateral control assembly comprises a rack 106 which is slidable in a guide 108 fixed to the end of the carriage arm 46. See FIG. 5. A bearing member 11) has a shaft 112 rotatable therein which carries a gear 114 in mesh with the rack 106. A hand wheel 115 is fixed to said shaft 112. A spool 116 fixed to the arbor 52 re ceives a stud 118 of the rack 106. As the hand wheel 115 is turned in one direction or the other, the ends of the arbor are moved in the bearings at corresponding ends of the carriage arms 46.

The guide roll generally indicated in FIG. l by numeral 30 includes an outer tube 120 and bearings 121 inserted into the tube at opposite ends thereof. Collars 122 confine the tube and bearings 121 on a shaft 124 having opposite ends in the end frames 2 and 4.

Sensing mechanism consists of a rod fixed to and depending from a hub 132 slidable longitudinally along and nonrotatable on a sensor shaft 134 by means of a key 136. A spring 133 on the sensor shaft 134 urges the hub 132 against a collar 135 also on the sensor shaft 13'4, which collar functions as a stop. The sensor shaft 134 is rotatable in the end frames 2 and 4. See FIGS. 1 and 6.

A vertical supporting plate 142 has a lower end fixed to a shaft 144 which has its opposite ends secured in the end frames 2 and 4. A longitudinal back-up plate `146 is provided and overlies the supporting plate `142. The plate 142 is provided with elongated slots 148. Binding screws extend through the back-up plate 146 and the slots 148 of the supporting plate 142 so that the back-up plate may be secured to the supporting plate in various adjusted positions.

The back-up plate 146 is provided with a slot 152 arranged for the passage of `a sensor, or sensing finger 138 therethrough. The sensor 138 'extends from a hub 140 which is adjustable along the rod 130.

The sensor finger 138 and the back-up plate can be vertically adjusted in order to adjust for different cut-off lengths of `the web material.

Y The sensor shaft `134 is biased by a spring and spring pin vassembly at the left end of the sensor shaft.

As shown in dotted lines in FIG. l, a collar 156, fixed on the shaft 134, has a depending pin 158, and the forward end of a spring engages the pin. The rear end of the spring 160 is anchored to the rear portion of the end frame 2 and urges the shaft 134 counterclockwise in the direction of arrow a, in FIGS. 1 and 6i.

Tension `on the spring 160 is preferably set so that the sensor 138 will not move through the slot 152 when the running web W is between it and the back-up plate 146.

When the web W is removed however, as in the case of a depleting web having run out with the expiring or trailing end thereof having moved therepast, the sensor 138 moves through the slot 152.

`It will be understood that the hub 132 supporting the rod 130 and the sensing iinger'138 can be moved laterally along the shaft 134 to adjust for changes in the web width being used.

The running web W, being consumed and extending to the coacting rolls 22 and 24, overlies the back-up plate 146. VThe sensor 138 overlies the web W so that the web W passes upwardly between the plate 146 and the sensor 138. As the trailing end of the web W passes upwardly from between the plate and the sensor, the sensor, due to the action of the spring 160, passes through the slot 152, whereupon the sensor shaft 134 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6.

The splice timing and drive mechanism will now be described.

A vertical shaft 170 is disposed in bearings 172 which are fixed to the end Iframe 4. See FIG. 6. The shaft 170 is reciprocable and rotatable in the bearings 172 and is urged in a clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow b, in FIGS. 6 and 8, by a spring 174 which is connected at its inner end to the end frame 4 and at its outer end to a rod 176 fixed to and extending from a collar 178 which is fixed to the shaft 170.

The sensor release arm mechanism will now be described. This is an arm and cam roll assembly which is fixed to the right end of the sensor shaft 134. Its function is to keep the vertical shaft 170 of the splice timing and drive mechanism inoperative while there is a web W between the sensor 138 and the back-up plate 146.

As aforesaid, when the end of the web W passes the sensor 138, the sensor moves through the slot in the backup plate, allowing the sensor shaft 134 to rotate.

A sensor release arm or lever 182 is fixed to the shaft 134 and has a cam roll 184 on the free end thereof which is disposed rearwardly of a stop plate 180 fixed to the lower end of the vertical shaft 170, all as shown in FIG. 6.

The sensor release arm 182 rotates as the shaft 134 rotates and its cam roll 184 moves olf the plate 180.

The vertical shaft 170 is now free to rotate, moving its two engaging arms (to be described) into position.

The sensor release arm 182 is set so that it will clear and disengage from the stop plate 180 when the sensor 138 moves through the slot 152 in the back-up plate 146.

Expressed otherwise, as the end of the web W passes upwardly from between the sensor 138 and back-up plate .146, shaft 134 rotates as indicated by arrow a, in FIG. 6, by the laction of the spring 160 provided therefor and roll 184 swings downwardly from behind stop plate 180, so that the vertical shaft 170 is rotated in the direction of arrow b by spring 174.

A cam lever of timing cam arm 190 is fixed to the vertical shaft 170 and carries a timing cam arm roll 192. A cam 194, called a timing cam, is xed to the shaft 20, which is driven by the wrapping machine and makes one revolution for each cycle of the drive shaft 12 as aforesaid. As the cam 194 in its rotation, with the timing cam roll 192 in its inner position, engages said timing cam arm roll, the vertical shaft 170 is given a downward thrust for operating the splicer element 36.

A spring 196 between timing camarm `190 and bearing 172 therebelow urges the vertical shaft 170 in an upward direction.

A safety catch mechanism is provided to releasably hold the stop plate 180, and cam lever in outer position. Such includes a rod 196 extending from -a collar 198 fixed to the vertical shaft 170. A safety lever 200 is oseillatable in the end frame 4. As the vertical shaft 170 is turned reversely to the arrow b, the catch 200 may be swung to overlie the rod 196 and to hold the vertical shaft against the rotating action of spring 170 so that the lever 190 is outwardly of cam 194.

Splicer operating mechanism is provided, and consists of an arm 202 fixed to the upper end of the vertical shaft 170, and a lever 204 fixed to the upper most or splicer shaft 38. The lever 204 is provided with a cam roll 206. As the vertical shaft is moved downwardly, with the parts in the position shown n FIG. 6, the shaft 38 is oscillated in the direction of arrow c by the arm 202 acting on the Cam roll 206.

This oscillation swings the splicer to attach the leading end of web W' to the trailing end of web W which is being consumed.

The shaft 38 is subsequently urged in the direction of arrow d as will now be described. With the vertical shaft d70 in its lowermost position, wherein arm 202 has passed off from the cam roll 206, the upper face 208 of the arm 202 is formed so that the cam roll may pass the said face as it moves in the direction of arrow d.

Means for urging the shaft 38 in the direction of arrow d is shown in FIG. 7A. A lever 210 is fixed to the shaft 38 and carries a pin 212. A block 214 is secured to end frame 2, and is provided with a projecting pin 216. A spring 218 has opposite ends connected to the pins 212 and 218. A stop 220 is adjustable in the block to limit the position of the lever 210 and the splicer 36.

The splicer, as in FIG. 7, includes levers 224 which are disposed in spaced fixed relation on the shaft 38, and are connected at their lower ends by upper and lower plates 226 and 228. Resilient material, such as rubber or the like 230, is carried between the plates. Sharpened pins 232 are carried by opposite ends of the plates 228.

The leading end of the new web W has secured thereto a length of adhesive material such as a tape T carrying a pressure sensitive material. The tape T is caught on the pins 232. As the shaft 38 is oscillated in the direction of arrow c, the splicer presses the tape T against the trailing end of the web W to secure the webs W and W together.

It is to be pointed out that a single faced pressure sensitive tape is employed, a double faced pressure sensitive tape not being necessary. This is for the reason that the tape is applied to the leading edge of the new 0r replenishing web in such manner that one half of the width thereof is stuck to the leading edge of the replenishing web and the remaining one half of the width thereof is free and extends beyond the leading edge of the new web.

A tie beam, such as 240, extends between the end frames 2 and 4, and has opposite ends secured thereto in some suitable manner as by welding or the like. See FIG. 6. There may be as many such beams as may be desired.

A member 242, such as shown in FIG. 6, extends between the end frames 2 and 4 and is secured thereto at its opposite ends. This member is omitted in FIG. l for clearness, and corresponds to the member 4 of my copending application, Ser. No. 638,613, filed Feb. 6, 1957, now Patent No. 2,940,507. This member functions as a support or table upon which the leading edge of a new web of material may be cut and prepared, and means for a supply of tape may be carried by this member 242.

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application led by me on Feb. 6, 1957 and bearing Serial Number 638,613 now Patent No. 2,940,507.

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in certain specific arrangements, I do not intend to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the objects of the invention may be attained by the use of constructions different in certain respects from those disclosed without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing is intended to so fully reveal the gist of my invention that others can,

by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims below.

I therefore desire by the following claims to include within the scope of my invention all such variations and modiiications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are deined as follows:

1. Apparatus for interconnecting a trailing edge of a first web with a leading edge of a second web, said Webs having thereon a repeating indicia pattern uniformly and equally spaced along each said web, said apparatus adapted to connect said second web to said first web with the said indicia pattern on the second web in substantially precise registration with said pattern on said tirst web, said apparatus comprising; driving means for said iirst web for moving said first web past an operating point including a member moving in cyclic phase relationship with indicia patterns on said web, a splicer for attaching said leading edge of said second Web to said trailing terminal end of said first web at said operating point, means for sensing the approach of said trailing terminal end, splicer drive means, means for coupling said splicer drive means to said driving means for said first web in direct phase relationship with said member and hence with the passage of said indicia past said operating point, means operatively associated with said coupling means for actuating said splicer drive means only at a given point in the phase of said splicer drive means, and means responsive to said sensing means for engaging said splicer drive and said splicer at an intermediate point in its phase, whereby said splicer operates only at said given point in its phase and in substantially accurate registration with said indicia pattern on said iirst web.

2. Apparatus for interconnecting a trailing edge of a rst web with a leading edge of a second web, said webs having thereon a repeating indicia pattern uniformly and equally spaced along each said web, said apparatus adapted to connect said second Web to said first web with the said indicia pattern on the second web in substantially precise registration with said pattern on said first web, said apparatus comprising; driving means for said iirst web for moving said first web past an operating point, a splicer for attaching said leading edge of said second web to said trailing terminal end of said first web at said operating point, means for sensing the approach of said trailing terminal end, splicer drive means, means for coupling said splicer drive means to said web driving means in direct phase relationship both with said means for driving said first web and with the passage of said indicia past said operating point, means for actuating said splicer only at a given point in the phase of said splicer drive means, and means responsive to said sensing means for engaging said splicer drive and said splicer at an intermediate point in its phase, whereby said splicer operates only at said given point in its phase and in substantially accurate registration with said indicia pattern on said iirst web.

3. In combination with a machine employing a web printed with repeating indicia patterns; means for driving said machine; means related to the drive of said machine moving cyclically in direct phase relationship with the passage of said indicia patterns through said machine; means for splicing a new web to said web when it runs out; means for sensing the end of said web when it runs out; means for driving said splicing means; means actuated by said sensing means for placing said splicer driving means in potentially operative relationship with said cyclically moving means; and said splicer driving means constructed and arranged to drive said splicing means at a given point only in the cycle of said cyclically moving means and only when in said potentially operative relationship.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,540,831 De Moos June 9, 1925 2,725,426 Bell et al. Nov. 22, 1955 2,752,984 Casey July 3, 1956 2,752,985 Aldrich July 3, `1956 

